Tirunelveli: A 24-year-old woman from Prancheri village has petitioned the Tamil Nadu Health Department demanding the cancellation of the licence of a private obstetrician accused of negligence during a Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) procedure that allegedly led to the removal of her uterus.
The District Collector Dr R Sukumar had earlier suspended the MTP licence of Sumupriya Private Hospital in Thalaiyoothu on March 18, 2025, following an official inquiry. However, the suspension duration was not disclosed. The inquiry found that the hospital’s obstetrician, Dr Ramya Jayalakshmi, violated several MTP protocol guidelines.
Inquiry Report Points to Serious Lapses
The collector’s suspension order cited procedural errors:
- Misoprostol was administered without verifying cervical dilation via per vaginal examination.
- Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) was performed prematurely, possibly causing intestinal perforation.
- The patient was discharged without proper post-operative care, including intravenous antibiotics.
- Documentation lapses on repeated misoprostol administration were also flagged.
Dr Sukumar rejected the explanation submitted by the doctor as “unacceptable.”
Patient’s Ordeal: Multiple Surgeries, Permanent Damage
The complainant, Chitra Kumari, alleged that after a local PHC recommended MTP due to poor foetal growth at 10 weeks of pregnancy, she underwent the procedure at Sumupriya Hospital on September 10, 2024.
“I was discharged the next day but suffered from severe pain, vomiting and fever. On returning to the hospital, I was told I had a 4.8 cm intestinal perforation and was asked to pay ₹1.5 lakh for emergency surgery,” she told TNIE.
Chitra then sought emergency treatment at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TvMCH), where doctors advised hysterectomy. She underwent a six-hour surgery on September 14 and had two more surgeries on October 15 and December 24.
“I’ve lost my ability to conceive, and I’m still fighting to get justice,” she said.
Doctor Denies Charges
Dr Ramya Jayalakshmi denied any wrongdoing, saying:
“The patient was already aborting when she came to me. I performed a surgical evacuation in accordance with protocol.”
Officials Divided on Accountability
Former Deputy Director of Family Welfare, Dr M Ramanathan, who led the inquiry, stated that the case had been closed, while Collector Dr Sukumar did not respond to follow-up queries.
Chitra continues to appeal to the Health Secretary, seeking permanent action against the doctor and hospital for alleged negligence that has irreversibly altered her life.
